Why Narre Warren is one of the best places to live in Melbourne
IT’S home to the second largest shopping centre in the state, as well as the biggest and most expensive single project ever completed by a Victorian council. Here’s everything to love about living in Narre Warren.
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NARRE Warren has long lived in the shadows of its more ‘grown up’ neighbours.
But the traditionally working class suburb, which is sandwiched between Endeavour Hills, Hallam, Harkaway, and Hampton Park — 35km from Melbourne’s CBD — has really grown up over the last decade.
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With buyers being priced out of surrounding locales the likes of Berwick, Beaconsfield and Officer, the 3805 postcode is starting to attract hungry homebuyers keen to carve out their slice of the south east.
According to data from CoreLogic, house prices in Narre Warren have skyrocketed 66 per cent between 2012 and 2017, jumping from $355,000 to $600,000.
With great shopping, schools, sporting facilities and restaurants all at its finger tips — it’s easy to understand why buyers are flocking to this south eastern belle.
“Fountain Gate Shopping Centre is definitely one of the main attractions,” First National Narre Warren real estate agent Samantha Johnson said.
“There are also a lot of great schools in the area, which is why we’re seeing a lot of older first-home buyers.”
As well as proximity to transport and amenities, Ms Johnson says Narre Warren is becoming an increasingly popular choice for families wanting to be in the catchment zones for schools in Berwick and Beaconsfield, but who can’t afford the high price tag.
“Narre Warren offers a slightly more affordable entry point, but is still in the zone for some of the better schools,” she says.
The postcode offers plenty of options when it comes to lifestyle and liveability, too.
There are parks and recreation facilities aplenty, as well as a burgeoning local gastronomic scene.
“There is awesome ethnic food in the hub of Narre Warren, with a great Indian restaurant and really good Afghan food off Webb Street,” Ms Johnson says.
“There’s also the dining precinct at Fountain Gate, which offers a range of different cafes and cuisines.”
Ms Johnson says the much-anticipated Bunjil Place, a $115 million leisure and entertainment precinct that boasts an 800-seat theatre, library, gallery, function centre and plaza with a big screen and amphitheatre, has also added “a great atmosphere” to the local area.
The project, designed by leading Australian architectural firm Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (fjmt), was named ‘Architecture of the Year’ in May 2018.
City of Casey mayor Geoff Ablett said the vision behind Bunjil Place was to instil a sense of pride in the Casey community.
“The remarkable, iconic design of Bunjil Place has helped create a welcoming and enlivening destination for local residents and visitors to come together, make community connections and enjoy many exciting entertainment, arts and culture experiences.”
EVERYTHING TO EAT, SEE AND DO IN NARRE WARREN
FOOD
While nearby Berwick is a hub of brunch activity, Narre Warren’s local culinary offering is starting to bring its A-game.
Fountain Gate Shopping Centre, which unveiled its $320 million redevelopment back in 2012, is at the centre of the suburb’s eat-street action, with cafes including The Jolly Miller, Twisted Sista, Degani and Coffee Hit catering to caffeine-minded shoppers and breakfast-goers. Gami Fried Chicken and Beer, Switch, Steve Costi’s Famous Fish, The Sporting Globe and Poppy’s Thai round out the shopping centre’s drinking and dining options and make for an ideal pre or post-movie dinner date.
For a casual dinner or weekend catch up, Webb Street is where you’ll find some of the area’s best local restaurants. There are myriad options for those looking for an authentic Indian feast. Pind Baluchi and Riks Mahal are local faves, while Arya Indian in Narre Warren South is credited with being the first restaurant in Victoria to make gluten-free naan bread.
Tamarind 8 and Mathara Bath Kade are the places to go for seriously lipsmacking Sri Lankan eats or, for some midweek Mexican arriba, Mexican Cantina has your needs covered. For a taste of the Orient, head to Panda Garden or Ming Court, or get your dumplings fix at Lucky Dumplings. Meanwhile, Narre Warren North is where it’s at for coffee lovers, with Chapter 16 Bakery Cafe the place to go for lunch, lattes and baked goods.
PARKS AND RECREATION
There are plenty of green spaces in Narre Warren to take the kids or walk the dog.
Lysterfield Park is one of the region’s most popular outdoor destinations.
The park is set on 1937 hectares and offers adventure lovers and outdoor recreation enthusiasts a myriad options for weekend entertainment. At the centre of the action is the idyllic Lysterfield Lake, which is popular for canoeing, paddle boating, sailing and surf skiing. If two-wheeled fun is more your thing, the Lysterfield Park Mountain Bike Trails and State Mountain Bike Course offer more than 20km of riding trails that cater to riders of all ages and abilities making it a hub for active families keen for some weekend pedal-powered exploration. Hiking enthusiasts can take a wander along one of the many trails, and the main visitor area has plenty of barbecue facilities if you feel like packing a picnic. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some of the local wildlife, with kangaroos and wallabies often hopping by to say hello. Croc’s Playcentre and Cafe is another popular spot for young families, with plenty of indoor fun for kids of all ages.
SPORT
Sporting clubs are a big part of the local community and Narre Warren has a wide selection of clubs and recreation facilities to cater to a range of sporting interests. From AFL, netball and tennis clubs, to basketball, baseball and lawn bowls, there are activities to suit every age group, interest and skill level. Casey ARC (Aquatic and Recreation Centre) is also a big drawcard, offering everything from swimming lessons and school swimming programs to aqua aerobics, birthday parties and even women-only swimming programs. The centre also boasts a gym, child care facilities and mindfulness sessions. F45 studio and YogaLou are available for those wanting to get their heart rate up with some HIIT (high intensity interval training) or to unwind.
TRANSPORT
Narre Warren has a wealth of transport options. Depending on the day and time, it can take as little as 40 minutes to drive to the CBD, with the Monash Fwy and Princes Hwy the main arterials. The area is also well serviced by public transport, with a train station that can get commuters to the city in about an hour, as well as plenty of bus routes passing through Fountain Gate and surrounds.
SCHOOLS
Education is another drawcard for the area, with Narre Warren in the catchment zone for many highly regarded schools. Within the suburb’s border, schools include Narre Warren North Primary, Oatlands Primary, Don Bosco and Mary Mackillop Primary, as well as Waverley Christian College’s Narre Warren South campus. The Narre Community Learning Centre is also a popular public education centre, offering everything from IT and cookery classes to early learning and accredited VET courses, as well as wellbeing programs, music lessons and even cake decorating.
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